17.5 Tires on a Low Pro. How to get the most out of them

I suspect that depends on who is installing the lift axle. It's been a few years, but IIRC, Wilson wanted to use a stronger beam with a lift axle and/or sliding rear axle in the event that the driver might load/drive the trailer with the lift up or the axle forward.

No problem done it many times. The only thing that left its' mark was a 40,000 - ish lb vibratory compactor (steam roller) with those spikes sticking out of the roller.

Depends on where you set the trailer ride height valve but the lowest would be ~35" at the rear. IIRC approx 38" at the high point of the camber (drops to ~36" when loaded)***. At the front depends a bit on the 5th wheel height obviously but the trailer is a 27" drop.

***Interesting side note is that I originally bought an all aluminum low deck step. It showed up with ALOT of camber....it was like 39" at the camber and it didn't sag at all when loaded to the max. Not much point in buying an all aluminum if you need to load tall freight IMO. I returned it to the dealer and custom ordered the same trailer a steel frame combo instead. The steel has better elastic properties than aluminum and they are designed so the camber comes out of them when loaded.

 

Hey @rank can you measure the height of that well for me next time you are at that trailer?

 

Will do

 

Crossfires can't be over tightened or will ruin seal going on valve stem and over time especially in road salt they will go bad if not kept clean. (Truck and Trailer washed every week) We check ours with an hand air guage while still cool even if the indicator still works. Great success with them so far,nice to have one point to air up duals and check the air pressure too.

 

Pulled a trailer with those size wheels / tires from Toledo, Ohio to Albany, NY about 6 yrs ago. Our goofy parts "parts changer" had put cheap KUMHO I think was the name tires on it. I lost 3 of them junk things on that trip in the summer heat. Truck only does 65. Keep quality heavy ply tires on it, that will help. QUALITY.

 

Yep. Buying cheap will always cost you. Heck even on big tires. I haven't blown a tire since i stopped buying cheap Chinese junk.

 

OK @spyder7723 sorry it took so long.
With 21 tons equally distributed along the 53 ft and hooked to a 48" fifth wheel it's:
35" at the drop.
36" in front of the front axle.
34" at the back of the trailer
The wheel wells are 3" above the deck at the most.

Those numbers are all dependent upon where the ride height valves are set and 5th wheel height of course. It could go an inch lower. With the air out of the trailer bags, it's 34" in front of the rear axle.

 

Thanks man. That info helps in the decision of my next trailer.

 

I worked with a guy that pulled the company's low pr trailer with 17.5"s.

He came in one day with the tires hot and bearing grease all over the tandems. Nobody knew what was wrong.

I asked "How fast were you going?"
He said 70mph. He was near 80k
I said those tires are only rated for 60.

Everyone just laughed because they couldn't believe a tire can't go faster then 60 lol